Rear deck lid doesn't want to close

I have a really hard time getting my rear deck lid shut. The latches just don't seem to want to catch or perhaps I'm having too hard a time getting the lid down far enough to get locked in the latches. Has anyone else expereinced this problem and no what the problem is? I know the previous owner put new struts in and they may not have been Ferrari struts.

Thanks!
Paul

 

Had same problem with my 83 Mondial QV. There are effectively two adjustments: (1) The location of the latch on the compartment and (2) the projection and location of the U-shaped piece on the underside of the Lid. There is also the rubber weatherstrip than sometimes gets in the way of both. The latch as I recall is pretty much fixed in position on my car. Make sure that the latch mechanism itself is lubed and not stiff. Then you have to begin by adjusting the location and projection of the U-shaped piece. It is held in position by 10 mm nuts. It just takes time and a lot of patience.

 

My ’83 308 had this problem. A slight adjustment of the U-shaped catches, as Sheldon describes, was all it required. It now works perfectly.

 

The latches are adjustable too, not very much though. Most of the adjustment room is with the hooks.

 

Same problem here. Going to try some of these solutions (sorry I don't have one of my own to offer.)

 

On my car, I have to place my hand on the edge of the lid and press each corner down one at a time to get it to latch... Just seems to be the way my car likes it.

I was actually parked next to a 328 last weekend and he was able to gently slam the whole lid and it caught on both sides at once and I was a little jealous =)

 

I have to do one corner at a time on mine also. I was told when I bought it to press on the SPINES and not on the rear spoiler, or it can eventually cause a hairline crack in the paint there.

 

I do the one corner at a time thing too (also on the spines, as the prior owner made sure to warn me), but lately, it's been refusing to close easily.... I would love it if it would close with a "gentle slam"...

 

It is always tempting to put your hand in the centre of the spoiler and give it a good slam but I was also warned this would result in a hairline crack. I always use two hands, above the "U" bolts and push it firmly into the latches. A lot of workshops will remove the entire access panel during service so the "U" bolt adjustment gets done when they reaffix the engine hatch.